Hyundai Rotem Signs Framework Agreement with Peru for Supply of Tanks and Wheeled Armored Vehicles The company announced on the 10th that it signed the agreement on December 9 (local time) in Lima with the Peruvian Army and state-owned arms manufacturer FAME S.A.C. Under the upcoming implementation contract, Hyundai Rotem plans to deliver 54 K2 tanks and 141 K808 armored vehicles.Peru has been aggressively pursuing military modernization to strengthen national security and develop its domestic defense capabilities.

The newly signed Framework Agreement follows a broader ground-equipment cooperation accord reached last year, and it clarifies key elements of the program—including systems, quantities, and budget allocation. The signing of a full implementation contract is expected in the near term, enabling the program’s official launch.

Hyundai Rotem intends to go beyond simple platform delivery by contributing to Peru’s long-term defense industrial ecosystem. The plan includes establishing a local assembly plant, conducting portions of the production process in-country, and supporting technology transfer—initiatives expected to create local jobs and build sustainable industrial infrastructure.

To ensure smooth operational deployment of the K2 and K808 platforms, Hyundai Rotem will also provide comprehensive support packages covering training, maintenance, logistics, and operational documentation. The company aims to support Peru’s ambition to grow into a regional defense hub in Latin America.

If the agreement progresses to a finalized contract, the K2 main battle tank will secure its second global export—following its record-breaking acquisition by Poland. Hyundai Rotem previously entered the Peruvian market with a USD 60 million contract to supply 30 K808 armored vehicles last year. With the latest agreement, the company is now positioned to significantly expand its footprint in Peru’s modernization efforts.

Industry officials describe the deal as the first concrete defense-export achievement stemming from the diplomatic momentum of APEC 2025 KOREA. During the summit, South Korea leveraged high-level diplomacy and multilateral forums to promote the competitiveness of K-defense systems. Government ministries—including the Ministry of National Defense, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA)—played crucial roles in supporting negotiations and clearing obstacles.

Given the government-to-government nature of defense exports, official support often determines a project’s success. Observers note that a coordinated governmental “control tower” was instrumental in advancing the Peru agreement.

A Hyundai Rotem official stated, “Thanks to the detailed support of the Korean government and relevant agencies, we were able to reach this milestone agreement. As Korea’s only tank manufacturer, we will continue to push forward into global markets and contribute to the national goal of becoming one of the world’s top four defense exporters.” Should the implementation contract be signed, the deal would signify a major expansion of K-defense into Latin America—strengthening the global reputation of Korea’s armored vehicle technologies and accelerating the diversification of its export markets.

K-DEFENSE NEWS | Strategic Analysis Desk